|
|
|
|
|
|
none. If some other armed group had attacked, she would need information before she could act with intelligence. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
''Take a few men, then, and seek out Lord Ian. If all is well, tell him that the Earl of Salisbury and Lord Llewelyn are asking for him. If some ill has befallen, discover if you can what force we will need to set it right. In any case, send back to me in haste whatever news you find." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"At any hour day or night, Beorn." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salisbury had listened to this exchange with a growing sense of amusement. It was apparent that the impression of Alinor he had received from Ian had been misleading, to say the least. A frown flickered across his face as he wondered if that could have been deliberate. Many men tried to take advantage of Salisbury's affectionate relationship with his brother. It was only a flicker of doubt that disappeared at once. Ian had never asked for anything. Nor, now that Salisbury thought of it, had Ian actually said anything much about Alinor to him. The talk had always been of Simon, of his strength and wisdom. It was from that Salisbury had assumed that Alinor was even more helpless and dependent than most women. In fact, Salisbury had openly warned Ian against marriage with a weak and stupid woman. He had been mildly piqued at the offhand assurance Ian had offered that he had no intention of seeking out such a one. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No, Salisbury thought, looking at Alinor's vivid, lovely face, while she watched Beorn's retreating back, she is neither weak nor stupid. "Come in, Lady Alinor," he said, touching her arm gently. "It is cold and you have no cloak. I begin to think I was a fool to raise this worry in you." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Never that, my lord," Alinor responded with a |
|
|
|
|
|